Find Your Catering Style: Which Food Service Suits Your Wedding Style

Take our quiz to determine the right food service for your reception

April 11, 2025

PICK A PHRASE TO DESCRIBE THE VISION FOR YOUR WEDDING:

1. Classic and glamorous

2. Pretty and personalized

3. Warm and welcoming

4. Engaging and interactive

5. Subtle and simple

DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL WEDDING ATTIRE:

(whether it’s a gown, a suit or an outfit that’s somewhere in between)

1. A statement piece—something that stuns and wows our guests.

2. Something meaningful that incorporates a shared interest or details representing my beloved.

3. A vintage ensemble; an outfit passed down or new to me yet with plenty of history.

4. Something offbeat that uses color, print or fabric in an unexpected way.

5. I haven’t thought much about my attire; it’ll likely be whatever I try on first!

CONGRATULATIONS! AN ANONYMOUS DONOR JUST FUNDED YOUR DREAM HONEYMOON. WHAT’S ON THE ITINERARY?

1. A locale with breathtaking views, five-star meals and plenty of spa time (such as the Amalfi Coast, Bora-Bora or Santorini).

2. An elevated tour of relationship nostalgia (for example, renting your first-date restaurant before flying first-class to your proposal destination).

3. A week-long stay in a quaint town (perhaps a cozy cabin in Lake Tahoe, a cottage on the coast or a ranch-style home in a Western town).

4. A private-jet trip to one of the quirkiest luxe destinations in the world (for example, haunted luxury at Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, the quirky and cool ice hotel in Sweden, or the suite built inside an old airplane at Hotel Costa Verde in Costa Rica).

5. A glorious staycation in your own space (with free food delivery from your favorite local places, in-home massages and movie marathons—without the responsibilities of everyday life).

PICK A PHRASE TO DESCRIBE YOUR HOME DESIGN STYLE.

1. Elegant; designed for entertaining.

2. Fully customized; details of “us” everywhere.

3. Warm and inviting; vintage or secondhand pieces throughout.

4. Fun, funky and eclectic; we love to mismatch.

5. Carefree and easy.

WHAT KIND OF SELF-CARE DO YOU TURN TO WHEN YOU’RE STRESSED OUT?

1. Surrender to some spa time.

2. Partake in a cozy hobby (for example, knitting, creating art, watching your comfort show.).

3. Spend extra time with friends and family (pets included).

4. Do something adventurous or physical activity.

MOSTLY ONES: PLATED DINNER

The classic, tried-and-true food service method for a formal event: the sit-down dinner. This style can be customized to be as laid-back or as sophisticated as you’d like—adding courses and more dish options can elevate the experience. “The best part of a plated meal is that you are giving people what they want,” states Samatha Morrow, director of sales and marketing of CRAVE Catering. “There is an extra special ‘I appreciate you’ in offering guests an option for a meal. You won’t get any negative feedback when people get to pick their own plated meal and keeping the options short and sweet is ok. The presentation that plated meals offer is another added perk that really uplevels your entire dining experience.”

Photo | Kat Larrea Photo courtesy of CRAVE Catering

MOSTLY TWOS: BUFFET

A traditionally low-stress option that can really make a splash, a buffet involves a display of self- serve food options, often all from the same or a similar menu. Guests can load up on plenty of options or grab a ton of their favorite dish. Christy O’Keefe, director of sales and marketing at Mintahoe Catering & Events, chimes in: “Buffet-style service is a fantastic option for weddings because it provides guests with flexibility and variety. Unlike plated meals, it allows everyone to enjoy exactly what they want, with the option to try a bit of everything. It also frees couples from the logistical task of collecting meal preferences and creating specific place cards, making planning a bit easier.” Even though it’s lower maintenance, adding small touches like elegant chafing dishes, personalized signage or mini “tasting flight” appetizers can bring a bit of flair, creating a memorable—and delicious—experience for everyone.

Photo | Kelly Birch Photography

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MOSTLY THREES: FAMILY STYLE

In the same vein as a plated meal, with family style, each table is served their dishes. However, with this service option, everything is oversized and shareable. Friends and family pass around each serving dish, like they would at Thanksgiving dinner, and serve themselves. “Oh, I’m a big fan!” says Amy Brown, co-founder of Chowgirls Catering. “Not only does family-style table service encourage guests to chat with each other—nothing like delicious food to get the conversation going—it’s a great way to express yourselves as a couple. We love showcasing our ever-expanding tablewares collection, and the colors and styles of multiple serving vessels can really enhance a style, theme or color palette. I’ve been pitching a ‘small plates’ dinner style; it’s perfect for adventurous couples or those who have a hard time making decisions! Along with a lovely printed menu at each table, guests are greeted by a breadbasket, knock-out salad, and a unique offering like our Mezze or Bruschetta board. I feel like it’s how a lot of folks are dining out these days, and as our culture grows ever more food-curious, bringing this level of engagement and variety to a catered dinner is a sure way to delight and surprise them.”

Photo | Amy Diep Photography

MOSTLY FOURS: STATIONS

Also called “activations,” this type of service is similar to a buffet. The main difference lies in the presentation: Instead of a smorgasbord of choices, stations will often follow a particular food theme (such as sushi, pasta), with attendants ready to serve the food in an artful way.

Excitingly, these kinds of reception dinners “lend themselves to grand, eye-catching ice sculptures and chilled stations as memorable focal points,” explains Kim Kalina, director of marketing and design for Minnesota Ice. “Station-style wedding service provides a terrific opportunity for distinctive ice displays, which can transform a signature cocktail or featured course into its own standout presentation. Some of our most requested options include drink luges, seafood/sushi displays, mimosa and Bloody Mary bars, cake stands and specialty cocktail ice. Each can be customized with monograms, names or freeze-in flowers, making the day even more special through beautifully personalized ice sculptures.”

Photo | Kelly Birch Photography

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MOSTLY FIVES: FOOD TRUCKS

Calling in a fleet of food trucks takes a lot of the pressure off—once you’ve booked your favorite local trucks to pull up and serve (for this type of service, it’s best if you’re hosting an outdoor reception), you’re done! Note: Most trucks provide disposable dishes and utensils, so if you want more durable options, chat with your planner.

“Food trucks are a fantastic way to create experiential moments for your guests to enjoy!” says Krista Hess Crawford, founder and lead planner at de Vasco’s Daughters. “They can immerse themselves in the experience and move around rather than spending too much time seated at their tables.” She continues, “Food trucks bring a uniquely playful, fair-like vibe to an event, but that doesn’t mean the celebration feels less elevated or overly casual. We still design beautiful tablescapes for guests to dine at when hiring food trucks. We also suggest having a great charcuterie noche table for guests to graze at during cocktail hour.”

Photo | Shane Long Photography